Richard Holman

Serial Killer

Richard Holman: The .22 Caliber Killer

Background

Richard Holman, born on August 20, 1961, in East St. Louis, Illinois, became infamous for his involvement in a series of violent crimes during the late 1970s. Alongside his accomplice, Girvies L. Davis, Holman participated in multiple robberies and murders across Illinois between 1978 and 1979. The duo earned the moniker "The .22 Caliber Killers" due to their use of .22 caliber firearms in their crimes.

Criminal Activities

Holman's criminal activities, in collaboration with Davis, were marked by brutal robberies that often culminated in murder. Their primary motive appeared to be robbery, with a ruthless approach to eliminating witnesses. Below is a detailed account of their confirmed victims:

• December 8, 1978: Frieda Mueller, 78 - Mueller was fatally shot during a robbery where her television set, billfold, and checkbook were stolen. Although Davis and Holman were implicated, they were never tried for this murder.
• December 22, 1978: Charles Biebel, 89 - Biebel, who used a wheelchair, was shot in his trailer home. The assailants stole watches, a billfold, firearms, and a television. Holman was identified as the shooter in this incident.
• May 12, 1979: John Oertel, 84 - Oertel was both shot and stabbed in his trailer. Davis was identified as the shooter, with Holman assisting in the robbery.
• July 13, 1979: Esther Sepmeyer, 83 - Sepmeyer, a blind woman, was executed while praying beside her bed. Items stolen included a lawnmower, antique radio, stereo, television, and a .22-caliber rifle. Holman was identified as the shooter in this case.
• August 30, 1979: Frank Cash, 21 - During a botched robbery at an auto parts store, Cash was shot and killed. The store owner, James Ostman, was also shot but survived. Davis and Holman were apprehended following this incident.

Arrest and Conviction

The arrest of Holman and Davis occurred after the failed robbery on August 30, 1979. During the attempted robbery, Ostman managed to shoot Davis, leading to their capture. Subsequent investigations linked them to multiple other crimes, including the murders listed above. Holman faced trial for several of these crimes. He was convicted of three counts of murder for the deaths of Oertel, Cash, and Sepmeyer, as well as attempted murder for the shooting of Ostman. He received a 75-year sentence for the murders of Oertel and Cash, a concurrent 25-year sentence for the attempted murder of Ostman, and a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Sepmeyer. Holman avoided the death penalty due to being under 18 at the time of the crimes. ...Read More

Confirmed Victims: (5)

Frieda Mueller Age: (78), Date of Death: 1978-12-08

    ...View 4 additional victims
Survivors:

James Ostman , Date of Attack: 1979-08-30

HOLMAN Richard | Serial Killer Database Wiki - Fandom

    ...View 9 additional sources